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When we started Skype, if you look at analyst reports, no…

“When we started Skype, if you look at analyst reports, no one forecasted it as a big business. Also when Google started, it was not fashionable to be in search. It's not trying to do the obvious - that's the hard part.” quote by Niklas Zennstrom
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“When we started Skype, if you look at analyst reports, no one forecasted it as a big business. Also when Google started, it was not fashionable to be in search. It's not trying to do the obvious - that's the hard part.”

Niklas Zennstrom

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Successful ventures often arise from pursuing non‑obvious, hard problems rather than obvious trends.

In simple terms: Great businesses solve tough, unexpected challenges.

Key Takeaway

Focus on hard, unique problems.

Themes

innovation risk vision

Mood

analytical motivational

Type

strategic inspirational

When to use this quote

  • product ideation
  • investor pitches
  • team brainstorming

Key Concepts

disruption market gaps strategic foresight

Questions to Reflect On

  • What “obvious” market have you overlooked?
  • How do you test a hard‑to‑predict idea?
A Different Perspective

Hard problems may lack clear market validation initially.

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